10 Step Guide to Planning Corporate Events

If you've been put in charge of planning a corporate event, such as the office Christmas party or a client-focused gathering, you may be unsure of where to start. Here is a 10 step guide to planning corporate events.

1. You need to decide what type of venue you want for your event. If it's a conference, you'll need somewhere with plenty of space and large rooms. While if it's more of a social event, a bar or restaurant may be more suitable.

2. Creating your invite list should be step number two. It's a good idea to ask someone else to check over it, too, as you don't want to miss anyone out.

3. Choose a date that doesn't clash with any other events that your guests may be attending or any sporting events that are televised. For instance, organising a Manchester event on the night of a United or City game could see a poor level of attendance.

4. Think about where you want the venue to be. You may want it close to where you work or the town or city most convenient for your guests to get to. You may even have a decision to make over whether to choose a venue inside the city or one outside.

5. When shortlisting venues, find out which ones would be able to cope with a guest list of the size you want. If the venue is too big or small it could have a detrimental impact on what your guests take from the event.

6. Most of your guests will anticipate some form of food provision, so consider what type of catering you want and ensure the venues you're considering can meet that requirement.

7. Find out the charging methods of the venues. Some will require a payment for the room, others will be happy with the takings from the bar. If you're providing food, you may have a cost-per-head that you need to make sure fits into your budget.

8. You also need to make sure the venue is available on your preferred date or be willing to move the event if the venue is too good not to use.

9. When you're happy with a venue, get it booked to avoid disappointment. Once this is sorted, the lion's share of the planning is done.

10. All you need to do then is invite the guests and have a database or spreadsheet set up to manage their responses.

If planning corporate events such as a corporate party for clients, follow these steps for success.